californiaz

I wasn't trying to be a tool. I just wanted to welcome myself to the board and let you guys know what I have in store. I have been around the Z comunity for a while and was taken by surprise when I was greeted with doubt right off the bat. I just didn't think that I would have to prove myself to you guys.

OK, here is a quote directly from the "DATSUN" brochure titled "Build It Yourself." "In order to illustrate the performance and appearance capabilities of Datsun products, three special show vehicles have been produced using existing accessory items readily available through Datsun Dealers, Datsun Competion, and any full line accessory retailer. The products used on these vehicles represent the finest quality available anywhere. The following pages will tell you exactly what accessory items were used in the the construction of the 280-Z, B-210, and Stretch Pickup. Further, Champion Spark Plug Company, Mac's Automotive Cheicals, Suzuki, and Appliance Industries also provided you with valuable information on their respective product areas. You may not want to go as far as we did in personalizing your Datsun. but we feel we've given you many options to consider." Right at the bottom of this page is an emblem that says: "DATSUN from nissan with pride" Carl Beck of Zhome.com also featured this car on his site about 2 years ago shortly after I bought it. I talked with him in length about it and he even had a copy of the magazine in his gargae. he had no reason to doubt the authenticity of the car so I do not see why you would. I have also spoken with Jim Cook's wife Sandy and she remembers her husband talking about the car when it was being built. Here is another quote from the magazine article: " To be able to take three new Datsuns, a B-210 sedan, a Hustler long-bed pickup and a 280-Z, and completely rework them, both inside and out, was something out of a dream for Dave Kent..." No where in the brochure or in the article does it mention that the cars were built for anyone else besides Datsun Competition. If I am correct they were to Datsun what NISMO is to NIssan. So as far as I know the cars were built for Datsun. Maybe I should have just said it that way in the beginning. Unfortunately most all of my attempts to contact Nissan about my 280 have failed. Maybe I just haven't reached the right person. The Staff at SportZ magazine has agreed to do an article on the restoration so maybe they can help me get more solid proof of the car's history. I also have absolutely no idea where the 210 and truck ended up. For all I know they rotted away in a field or are being held somewhere. So who knows, but why be so negative about a one of a kind car that is a definite peice of Datsun/Nissan history? So basically I guess it comes down to whether or not "Datsun Competion" was a part of Nissan Motor Company or not.

more

again

another

another pic

WTF beandip? You think I would post here if I didn't really have the car? Whatever. I will get some pics up and you can laugh then. BTW you are welcome to come by my house anytime and see the car in my garage, the original dealer's brochure that it was made for, the plaque from HotRod magazine and the copy of the Feb. 1976 HotRod magazine w/ the car on the cover and the centerfold as well.

I'm new to the site but I just wanted to put the word out about my project. I have a 1975 280Z that was custom built for Nissan by a custom shop out in Cali. The car has less that 18k miles but the paint is in sad shape. If you are not familiar w/ the car it is the original car that the molds for the Jim Cook "CaliforniaZ" body kit was taken from. the difference is that this car is all metal ans has no headlights or side mirrors. I plan on doing a complete restoration of the car and I know how involved this can be. it's not my first Z car either. Coincidentaly I found this jem on a used car lot in Monterey Ca and got it for a steal of a price considering what it is. I have several pictures but I have no idea how to get them up on this site. Anyway, wish me luck guys.